Brian Wright

3rd College

Seminary: Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook

Ordination Date: 2016

Birth Date: September 11

Home parish: Saint Mark Roman Catholic Church (Wilmington, NC)

High School: Paul D. Schreiber High School (New York)

College: Cape Fear Community College (Wilmington, NC)

Work Experience: For the past twenty five years I have worked in the residential construction industry as a carpenter and project manager.

Hobbies: I am very adventurous and enjoy seeing new places. I snow and water ski, go camping, mountain climbing, play golf, tennis and just about every sport there is except rugby. I also enjoy surfing and swimming.

Who Influenced/Inspired you to Priesthood: Father Tim Meares, who is the pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rocky Mount, influenced my vocation. I was fortunate to have him as a pastor at Saint Joseph in Burgaw for four years, and in that time he brought me closer to God. Father Meares showed me how to surrender my will to the will of God, and to trust in his love and mercy. Through adoration I came to know God intimately as I sat and listened to him tell me what he has created me for. Sometimes we need to shut everything off and clear our minds so God can talk to us as a loving parent talks to a child. Father Meares gave me the opportunity to speak to God in a way that changed my life for ever. I trust in Gods love and mercy, and I know that he is with me all the time as I continue on my journey towards his will for me. I must do all that God commands me to do no matter how hard or challenging, and I am confident that God will give me the grace I need at the moment I need it. Along with Father Meares I am grateful for having the opportunity to listen to Catholic radio in Wilmington NC. I was very excited when the station became available to my area. I was just beginning my discernment and was able to get many of my questions answered while I listened to all the great programming the station had to offer. I was inspired by Father Corapi, Bishop Fulton Sheen, and many great teacher of the faith. As I learned more about my faith I was able to gain the confidence to take the steps necessary to understand God’s will for me. I encourage any person who is searching for God’s will to spend time in adoration and listen to what God is asking you to do. God made each one of us for a reason, and we will find peace and joy in our cooperation with God’s plan.

What would you say to a young man who thinks he may have a vocation: Men if you think God is calling you to the priesthood you must ask God to give you the grace you need to begin your journey. You will quickly find that God is very generous and loving. God will bring you many opportunities to move in the direction of his will, and all the people in the Diocese of Raleigh, from Bishop Burbidge to the lay faithful, will be there to support you every step of the way. There are many resources available to help you draw closer to God. Scripture is one of the ways God speaks to us.

Favorite Scripture Passage: The first time I read Psalm 51 God opened my heart and my mind. As I read this passage I became more aware of my condition as a member of a sinful race and the struggles I face every day. God knows everything about me and through this passage I realized that Jesus died for me so I could come before God and ask for mercy and forgiveness. “My offenses truly I know them; my sin is always before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned; what is evil in your sight I have done” Psalm 51. I am a sinner, but by the grace of God I can become a saint, “Indeed you love truth in the heart; then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom. O purity me, then I shall be clean; O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow” Psalm 51. God is still working on me, and each day that he gives me is a gift and another opportunity to draw closer to him and his divine will. I will continue on my journey with confidence in God’s grace and the prayerful support of the entire Diocese of Raleigh, the church militant, and the prayerful support of all the angels in saints in heaven, the church triumphant.

Favorite Saint: I have already received the prayers and intersession from Saint Rita of Cascia, who interceded on my behalf in a time of great struggle in my life. Through my studies of the great saints of the church I made a strong connection with Saint Rita and her struggles in her life. Saint Rita is the Patron Saint of lost causes, and so I prayed a novena and asked her to intercede on behalf of my lost cause. I received an answer to my prayer a month after I completed my novena, and I came to the realization that I was moving in the right direction and that I was not alone. Anything else of note you would like to share with the Diocese : All of heaven rejoices when a soul finds the path to God, so get out there and find your path. There are many road signs and many people willing to tell you which way you should go, but be sure that your Patron Saint looks over the directions and gets God’s approval. Surrender to God’s will and he will show you the way, and you will be able to do all that he commands with confidence and humility. God bless you, and be confident in my prayers for the Roman Catholic Church and all its members.